Plant of the Week: Escapade blue plumbago

Sunday

Aug 30, 2009 at 12:01 AMAug 30, 2009 at 2:09 PM

Height:

Height:

18 to 24 inches

Spread:

18 to 24 inches

Hardiness:

Zone 8

Origin:

cultivated variety

Fifteen species are included in the genus Plumbago, ranging from tropical annuals to perennials to shrubs. Escapade blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata 'Escapade Blue') is a compact multibranched variety with darker blue flowers than most other varieties. Six-inch flower heads appear at the branch tips on new growth. The base of each flower is covered with sticky gland-tipped hairs that remain after the fruit develops. Animals then disperse the fruit. The plants have a tendency to become straggly, so frequent pruning might be necessary. Plumbago is heat-tolerant and reasonably drought-resistant. The plant works well in mixed containers, as a filler and in butterfly gardens. The tender perennial will flower from summer through fall. It can be pruned and brought indoors before the first frost and kept in a bright window through winter. Escapade blue plumbago

can be seen in mixed containers in the Grand Mallway

at the Franklin Park Conservatory.

-- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory

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